Symbolism

The Faravahar, an ancient Persian symbol, is fundamentally important to the Zoroastrian faith. It is revered as an angel guardian and guide for a human soul as it ascends to heaven, through righteousness and holiness, seeking enlightenment. This figure embodies the balance of the universe – wisdom, good and bad thoughts, words and deeds, positive and negative forces, faithfulness and forward positive movement. Jewelry designers found that Persian, Egyptian, Japanese, Chinese and Indian cultures provided a wealth of inspiration from which to draw. These new patterns, motifs, colors and palettes, as well as ancient fragments, added a new depth to the original simple geometric lines of the Art Deco period. The circular, pierced and diamond monochromatic pendants first were decorated with foliate motifs, but later found favor with integrated symbols, such as this Faravahar pendant.